Coated article with low-e coating having low visible transmission

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a coated article including a low-emissivity (low-E) coating. In certain example embodiments, the low-E coating is provided on a substrate (e.g., glass substrate) and includes at least first and second infrared (IR) reflecting layers (e.g., silver based layers) that are spaced apart by contact layers (e.g., NiCr based layers) and a dielectric layer of or including a material such as silicon nitride. The dielectric layer is split by a layer of or including zirconium oxide, in order to improve durability. In certain example embodiments, the coated article has a low visible transmission (e.g., no greater than 60%, more preferably no greater than about 55%, and most preferably no greater than about 50%).

This invention relates to a coated article including a low-emissivity (low-E) coating. In certain example embodiments, the low-E coating is provided on a substrate (e.g., glass substrate) and includes at least first and second infrared (IR) reflecting layers (e.g., silver based layers) that are spaced apart by contact layers (e.g., NiCr based layers) and a dielectric layer of or including a material such as silicon nitride and a layer of or including zirconium oxide (e.g., ZrO₂). In certain example embodiments, the coated article (monolithic form and/or in IG window unit form) has a low visible transmission (e.g., no greater than 60%, more preferably no greater than about 55%, and most preferably no greater than about 50%). In certain example embodiments, the coated article may be heat treated (e.g., thermally tempered and/or heat bent), and is designed to be substantially thermally stable upon heat treatment (HT) in that its ΔE* value (glass side reflective) due to HT is no greater than 5.0, and more preferably no greater than 4.5. Coated articles according to certain example embodiments of this invention may be used in the context of insulating glass (IG) window units, vehicle windows, other types of windows, or in any other suitable application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Coated articles are known in the art for use in window applications such as insulating glass (IG) window units, vehicle windows, and/or the like. It is known that in certain instances, it is desirable to heat treat (e.g., thermally temper, heat bend and/or heat strengthen) such coated articles for purposes of tempering, bending, or the like. Heat treatment (HT) of coated articles typically requires use of temperature(s) of at least 580 degrees C., more preferably of at least about 600 degrees C. and still more preferably of at least 620 degrees C. Such high temperatures (e.g., for 5-10 minutes or more) often cause coatings to break down and/or deteriorate or change in an unpredictable manner. Thus, it is desirable for coatings to be able to withstand such heat treatments (e.g., thermal tempering), if desired, in a predictable manner that does not significantly damage the coating.

In certain situations, designers of coated articles strive for a combination of desirable visible transmission, desirable color, low emissivity (or emittance), and low sheet resistance (R_(s)). Low-emissivity (low-E) and low sheet resistance characteristics permit such coated articles to block significant amounts of IR radiation so as to reduce for example undesirable heating of vehicle or building interiors.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,521,096, incorporated herein by reference, discloses a low-E coating which uses zinc oxide (ZnO) contact layers below the silver-based IR reflecting layers, and above the bottom silver (Ag) based IR reflecting layer uses a NiCrO_(x) contact layer followed by a center tin oxide (SnO₂) dielectric layer. While the ZnO contact layers below the silver IR reflecting layers provide good structural properties for the growth of silver, the ZnO has been found to degrade the chemical, environmental and mechanical durability of the coating in certain instances. Moreover, the thick SnO₂ dielectric layer has been found to show micro crystallization and stress upon HT which causes rough interfaces between the SnO₂, the ZnO and the Ag, which can lead to degradation of durability and affect transmitted color.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,557,462 discloses a low-E coating with a layer stack of SiN/NiCr/Ag/NiCr/SiN/NiCr/Ag/NiCr/SiN. However, the coated article of the '462 patent is designed for a high visible transmission of at least 63%. The '462 patent at column 3, lines 12-15, teaches that visible transmission below 70% (monolithic coated article) and below 63% (IG window unit) are undesirable. Thus, the '462 patent teaches directly away from coated articles with visible transmission lower than 63%. Moreover, as largely explained in U.S. Pat. No. 8,173,263, coated articles of the '462 patent are not heat treatable because upon heat treatment sheet resistance (R_(s)) goes way up such as from about 3-5 to well over 10, haze tends to set in, and the glass side reflective ΔE* value is undesirable because it is over 5.0.

U.S. Patent Document 2016/0185660 discloses a low-E coating with a layer stack of SiN/NiCr/Ag/NiCr/SiN/NiCr/Ag/NiCr/SiN/ZrO. However, it has been found here that durability of this layer stack can be improved upon.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provided a coated article that is characterized by one or more of: (i) low visible transmission, (ii) good durability, and (iii) thermal stability upon HT so as to realize a glass side reflective ΔE* value no greater than about 5.0, more preferably no greater than about 4.5.

The term ΔE* (and ΔE) is well understood in the art and is reported, along with various techniques for determining it, in ASTM 2244-93 as well as being reported in Hunter et. al., The Measurement of Appearance, 2^(nd) Ed. Cptr. 9, page 162 et seq. [John Wiley & Sons, 1987]. As used in the art, ΔE* (and ΔE) is a way of adequately expressing the change (or lack thereof) in reflectance and/or transmittance (and thus color appearance, as well) in an article after or due to heat treatment. ΔE may be calculated by the “ab” technique, or by the Hunter technique (designated by employing a subscript “H”). ΔE corresponds to the Hunter Lab L, a, b scale (or L_(h), a_(h), b_(h)). Similarly, ΔE* corresponds to the CIE LAB Scale L*, a*, b*. Both are deemed useful, and equivalent for the purposes of this invention. For example, as reported in Hunter et. al. referenced above, the rectangular coordinate/scale technique (CIE LAB 1976) known as the L*, a*, b* scale may be used, wherein: L* is (CIE 1976) lightness units; a* is (CIE 1976) red-green units; b* is (CIE 1976) yellow-blue units; and the distance ΔE* between L*_(o) a*_(o) b*_(o) and L*₁ a*₁ b*₁ is: ΔE*=[(ΔL*)²+(Δa*)²+(Δb*)²]^(1/2), where: ΔL*=L*₁−L*_(o); Δa*=a*₁−a*_(o); Δb*=b*₁−b*_(o); where the subscript “o” represents the coating (coated article) before heat treatment and the subscript “1” represents the coating (coated article) after heat treatment; and the numbers employed (e.g., a*, b*, L*) are those calculated by the aforesaid (CIE LAB 1976) L*, a*, b* coordinate technique. When, for example, glass side reflective ΔE* values are measured, then glass side reflective a*, b* and L* values are used. In a similar manner, ΔE may be calculated using the above equation for ΔE*, i.e., ΔE*=[(ΔL*)²+(Δa*)²+(Δb*)²]^(1/2), by replacing a*, b*, L* with Hunter Lab values a_(h), b_(h), L_(h). Also within the scope of this invention and the quantification of ΔE* are the equivalent numbers if converted to those calculated by any other technique employing the same concept of ΔE* as defined above.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a coated article including a low-emissivity (low-E) coating. In certain example embodiments, the low-E coating is provided on a substrate (e.g., glass substrate) and includes at least first and second infrared (IR) reflecting layers (e.g., silver based layers) that are spaced apart by contact layers (e.g., NiCr based layers) and a dielectric layer of or including a material such as silicon nitride and a dielectric non-absorbing layer of or including zirconium oxide (e.g., ZrO₂). The addition of the dielectric non-absorbing layer of or including zirconium oxide (e.g., ZrO₂) has been found to improve durability. In certain example embodiments, the coated article has a low visible transmission (e.g., no greater than 60%, more preferably no greater than about 55%, more preferably no greater than about 50%. In certain example embodiments, the coated article may be heat treated (e.g., thermally tempered and/or heat bent), and is designed to be substantially thermally stable upon heat treatment (HT) in that its ΔE* value (glass side reflective) due to HT is no greater than 5.0, more preferably no greater than 4.5. Such a low ΔE* value indicates that the coated article has approximately the same transmission and color characteristics as viewed by the naked eye both before and after heat treatment (e.g., thermal tempering). Coated articles according to certain example embodiments of this invention may be used in the context of insulating glass (IG) window units, vehicle windows, other types of windows, or in any other suitable application.

Moreover, in certain example embodiments in this invention, the coating includes a layer (e.g., overcoat) of or including zirconium oxide and/or zirconium oxynitride. In certain example embodiments, this layer of or including zirconium oxide and/or zirconium oxynitride is substantially thinner than each of the IR reflecting layers comprising silver in the coating.

It is desired to provide a coated article that is characterized by one, two, or all three of: (i) low visible transmission, (ii) good durability, and (iii) thermal stability upon HT so as to realize a glass side reflective ΔE* value no greater than 5.0, more preferably no greater than 4.5.

In certain example embodiments of this invention, there is provided a coated article including a coating supported by a glass substrate, the coating comprising: first and second infrared (IR) reflecting layers comprising silver, the first IR reflecting layer being located closer to the glass substrate than is the second IR reflecting layer; a first contact layer comprising NiCr located over and directly contacting the first IR reflecting layer comprising silver; a dielectric layer comprising silicon nitride located over and directly contacting the first contact layer comprising NiCr; wherein the dielectric layer comprising silicon nitride is split by a dielectric layer comprising zirconium oxide, so that the dielectric layer comprising zirconium oxide is located between and contacting a first portion of the dielectric layer comprising silicon nitride and a second portion of the dielectric layer comprising silicon nitride; a second contact layer comprising NiCr located over and directly contacting the layer comprising silicon nitride; the second IR reflecting layer comprising silver located over and directly contacting the second contact layer comprising NiCr; a third contact layer comprising NiCr located over and directly contacting the second IR reflecting layer; and another dielectric layer comprising silicon nitride located over and directly contacting the third contact layer comprising NiCr. Optionally, there may be provided an overcoat layer comprising zirconium oxide located over and directly contacting the another dielectric layer comprising silicon nitride. Optionally, the second IR reflecting layer comprising silver may be thicker than is the first IR reflecting layer comprising silver. Optionally, each of the first and second IR reflecting layers comprising silver may be at least twice as thick as the overcoat layer comprising zirconium oxide. The coated article may have a visible transmission, measured monolithically, of no greater than 60%.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a coated article according to an example embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view showing the coated article of FIG. 1 provided in an IG window unit according to an example embodiment of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Coated articles herein may be used in applications such as IG window units, laminated window units (e.g., for use in vehicle or building applications), vehicle windows, monolithic architectural windows, residential windows, and/or any other suitable application that includes single or multiple glass substrates.

In certain example embodiments of this invention, the coating includes a double-silver stack. Referring to FIG. 1 for example, in certain example embodiments of this invention, there is provided a coated article including a coating supported by a glass substrate, the coating comprising: first 9 and second 19 infrared (IR) reflecting layers comprising or consisting essentially of silver, the first IR reflecting layer 9 being located closer to the glass substrate 1 than is the second IR reflecting layer 19; a first contact layer comprising NiCr 7 located under and directly contacting the first IR reflecting layer comprising silver 9, a second contact layer 11 located over and directly contacting the first IR reflecting layer comprising silver 9; a dielectric layer comprising silicon nitride 14 (the layer 14 is made up of lower layer portion 14 a and upper layer portion 14 b) located over and directly contacting the first contact layer comprising NiCr 11; wherein the dielectric layer comprising silicon nitride 14 is split by a dielectric non-absorbing layer comprising zirconium oxide 15, so that the dielectric layer comprising zirconium oxide (e.g., ZrO₂) 15 is located between and contacting lower portion 14 a of the dielectric layer comprising silicon nitride and upper portion 14 b of the dielectric layer comprising silicon nitride; a third contact layer comprising NiCr 17 located over and directly contacting the upper portion 14 b of the layer comprising silicon nitride 14; the second IR reflecting layer comprising silver 19 located over and directly contacting the second contact layer comprising NiCr 17; a fourth contact layer comprising NiCr 21 located over and directly contacting the second IR reflecting layer 19, and wherein the second IR reflecting layer comprising silver 19 is at least as thick as the first IR reflecting layer comprising silver 9. In certain preferred embodiments, it has been found that surprisingly beneficial results can be achieved when the second IR reflecting layer comprising silver 19 is thicker than the first IR reflecting layer comprising silver 9, more preferably when second IR reflecting layer 19 is at least 10 angstroms (Å) thicker (more preferably at least 20 angstroms thicker) than the first IR reflecting layer comprising silver 9. The coating includes three dielectric layers 3, 14 and 24 of or including silicon nitride, as shown in FIG. 1. The provision of the dielectric non-absorbing layer 15 of or including zirconium oxide (e.g., ZrO₂), splitting the silicon nitride based layer 14 into two equal or unequal portions, has been found to improve durability. Moreover, the coating includes a layer (e.g., overcoat) 27 of or including zirconium oxide and/or zirconium oxynitride. In certain example embodiments, this layer of or including zirconium oxide and/or zirconium oxynitride 27 is thinner than one or both of the IR reflecting layers 9, 19 comprising silver in the coating. In certain example embodiments of this invention, each of the IR reflecting layers comprising silver 9 and 19 is at least twice as thick, and more preferably at least three times as thick, as the layer 27 or including zirconium oxide and/or zirconium oxynitride. In certain example embodiments of this invention, the coating includes only two IR reflecting layers 9, 19 of or including silver or the like.

In order to increase durability, along with optics and thermal properties, and avoid significant structural changes before and after HT, coated articles according to certain example embodiments of this invention have a center dielectric layer 14 of or including silicon nitride split by the layer of or including zirconium oxide 15, and lower contact layers 7, 17 are based on NiCr (as opposed to ZnO). It has also been found that using metallic or substantially metallic NiCr (possibly partly nitrided) for layer(s) 7, 11, 17 and/or 21 improves chemical, mechanical and environmental durability (compared to using ZnO lower contact layers below silver and/or highly oxided NiCr upper contact layers above silver). It has also been found that sputter-depositing silicon nitride inclusive layer 14 in an amorphous state, so that it is amorphous in both as-coated and HT states, helps with overall stability of the coating. For example, 5% HCl at 65 degrees C. for one hour will remove the coating of U.S. Pat. No. 7,521,096, whereas the coating shown in FIG. 1 and the examples herein will survive this HCl test. And in high temperature and high humidity environment, there is less damage to the coating of FIG. 1 and the examples herein after ten days of exposure, than to the coating of the '096 patent after two days of exposure. And regarding high corrosive chemicals such as those used for “brick wash”, corrosion resistance is such that edge deletion need not be performed in certain example IG and laminated embodiments. Similarly, for mechanical abrasion tests, thermal cycling and salt fog tests, the coatings of the examples herein were found to be better than that of the '096 patent. Moreover, it has been found that making the top Ag based IR reflecting layer 19 thicker than the bottom Ag based IR reflecting layer 9 improves certain optical characteristics of the coating. The coating can be used as-coated, or heat treated, due to the relatively low ΔE* values discussed herein. For example, when the coating 30 is located surface #2 of an IG window unit (as shown in FIG. 2), low glass side reflective ΔE* values due to heat treatment indicate that the coated article has approximately the same transmission and color characteristics as viewed by the naked eye both before and after heat treatment (e.g., thermal tempering), and thus can be used either as-coated or as heat treated without significantly affecting optical characteristics thereof.

In certain example embodiments of this invention such as FIG. 1, heat treated or non-heat-treated coated articles having multiple IR reflecting layers (e.g., two spaced apart silver based layers) are capable of realizing a sheet resistance (R_(s)) of less than or equal to 5.0 (more preferably less than or equal to 4.0, even more preferably less than or equal to 3.0). The terms “heat treatment” and “heat treating” as used herein mean heating the article to a temperature sufficient to achieve thermal tempering, heat bending, and/or heat strengthening of the glass inclusive article. This definition includes, for example, heating a coated article in an oven or furnace at a temperature of least about 580 degrees C., more preferably at least about 600 degrees C., for a sufficient period to allow tempering, bending, and/or heat strengthening. In certain instances, the HT may be for at least about 4 or 5 minutes. The coated article may or may not be heat treated in different embodiments of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a side cross sectional view of a coated article according to an example non-limiting embodiment of this invention. The coated article includes substrate 1 (e.g., clear, green, bronze, or blue-green glass substrate from about 1.0 to 10.0 mm thick, more preferably from about 1.0 mm to 3.5 mm thick), and low-E coating (or layer system) 30 provided on the substrate 1 either directly or indirectly. The coating (or layer system) 30 includes, for example: bottom dielectric silicon nitride layer 3 which may be Si₃N₄, or of the Si-rich type silicon nitride for haze reduction, or of any other suitable stoichiometry silicon nitride in different embodiments of this invention, lower contact layer 7 (which contacts bottom IR reflecting layer 9), first conductive and preferably metallic or substantially metallic infrared (IR) reflecting layer 9, upper contact layer 11 (which contacts layer 9), dielectric silicon nitride based and/or inclusive layer 14 split into two portions by zirconium oxide based layer 15, lower contact layer 17 (which contacts IR reflecting layer 19), second conductive and preferably metallic or substantially metallic IR reflecting layer 19, upper contact layer 21 (which contacts layer 19), dielectric silicon nitride layer 24 which may be Si₃N₄, of the Si-rich type for haze reduction, or of any other suitable stoichiometry silicon nitride in different embodiments of this invention, and overcoat layer 27 of or including a material such as zirconium oxide (e.g., ZrO₂) and/or zirconium oxynitride. The “contact” layers 7, 11, 17 and 21 each contact an IR reflecting layer (e.g., layer based on Ag). The aforesaid layers 3-27 make up low-E (i.e., low emissivity) coating 30 that is provided on glass or plastic substrate 1. Layers 3-27 may be sputter-deposited on the substrate 1 in certain example embodiments of this invention, with each layer being sputter-deposited in vacuum using one or more targets as needed (the sputtering targets may be ceramic or metallic). Metallic or substantially metallic layers (e.g., layers 7, 9, 11, 17, 19 and 21) may be sputtered in an atmosphere containing argon gas, whereas nitrided layers (e.g., layers 3, 7, 11, 14, 17, 21 and 24) may be sputtered in an atmosphere containing a mixture of nitrogen and argon gas. The contact layers 7, 11, 17 and 21 may or may not be nitride in different example embodiments of this invention.

In monolithic instances, the coated article includes only one glass substrate 1 as illustrated in FIG. 1. However, monolithic coated articles herein may be used in devices such as laminated vehicle windshields, IG window units, and the like. As for IG window units, an IG window unit may include two spaced apart glass substrates. An example IG window unit is illustrated and described, for example, in U.S. Patent Document No. 2004/0005467, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. FIG. 2 shows an example IG window unit including the coated glass substrate 1 shown in FIG. 1 coupled to another glass substrate 2 via spacer(s), sealant(s) 40 or the like, with a gap 50 being defined therebetween. This gap 50 between the substrates in IG window unit embodiments may in certain instances be filled with a gas such as argon (Ar). An example IG unit may comprise a pair of spaced apart clear glass substrates each about 3-4 mm thick, one of which is coated with a coating 30 herein in certain example instances, where the gap 50 between the substrates may be from about 5 to 30 mm, more preferably from about 10 to 20 mm, and most preferably about 16 mm. In certain example instances, the low-E coating 30 may be provided on the interior surface of either substrate facing the gap (the coating is shown on the interior major surface of substrate 1 in FIG. 2 facing the gap 50, but instead could be on the interior major surface of substrate 2 facing the gap 50). Either substrate 1 or substrate 2 may be the outermost substrate of the IG window unit at the building exterior (e.g., in FIG. 2 the substrate 1 is the substrate closest to the building exterior, and the coating 30 is provided on surface #2 of the IG window unit).

In certain example embodiments of this invention, one, two, three, or all four of contact layers 7, 11, 17, 21 may be of or include NiCr (any suitable ratio of Ni:Cr), and may or may not be nitrided (NiCrN_(x)). In certain example embodiments, one, two, three or all four of these NiCr inclusive layers 7, 11, 17, 21 is substantially or entirely non-oxidized. In certain example embodiments, layers 7, 11, 17 and 21 may all be of metallic NiCr or substantially metallic NiCr (although trace amounts of other elements may be present). In certain example embodiments, one, two, three or all four of NiCr based layers 7, 11, 17, 21 may comprise from 0-10% oxygen, more preferably from 0-5% oxygen, and most preferably from 0-2% oxygen (atomic %). In certain example embodiments, one, two, three or all four of these layers 7, 11, 17, 21 may contain from 0-20% nitrogen, more preferably from 1-15% nitrogen, and most preferably from about 1-12% nitrogen (atomic %). NiCr based layers 7, 11, 17 and/or 21 may or may not be doped with other material(s) such as stainless steel, Mo, or the like. It has been found that the use of NiCr based contact layer(s) 7 and/or 17 under the silver-based IR reflecting layer(s) 9, 19 improves durability of the coated article (compared to if layers 7 and 17 were instead of ZnO).

Dielectric layers 3, 14 (including 14 a and 14 b), and 24 may be of or include silicon nitride in certain embodiments of this invention. Silicon nitride layers 3, 14 and 24 may, among other things, improve heat-treatability of the coated articles and protect the other layers during optional HT, e.g., such as thermal tempering or the like. One or more of the silicon nitride of layers 3, 14, 24 may be of the stoichiometric type (i.e., Si₃N₄), or alternatively of the Si-rich type of silicon nitride in different embodiments of this invention. The presence of free Si in a Si-rich silicon nitride inclusive layer 3 and/or 14 may, for example, allow certain atoms such as sodium (Na) which migrate outwardly from the glass 1 during HT to be more efficiently stopped by the Si-rich silicon nitride inclusive layer(s) before they can reach silver and damage the same. Thus, it is believed that the Si-rich Si_(x)N_(y) can reduce the amount of damage done to the silver layer(s) during HT in certain example embodiments of this invention thereby allowing sheet resistance (R_(s)) to decrease or remain about the same in a satisfactory manner. Moreover, it is believed that the Si-rich Si_(x)N_(y) in layers 3, 14 and/or 24 can reduce the amount of damage (e.g., oxidation) done to the silver and/or NiCr during HT in certain example optional embodiments of this invention. In certain example embodiments, when Si-rich silicon nitride is used, the Si-rich silicon nitride layer (3, 14 and/or 24) as deposited may be characterized by Si_(x)N_(y) layer(s), where x/y may be from 0.76 to 1.5, more preferably from 0.8 to 1.4, still more preferably from 0.82 to 1.2. Any and/or all of the silicon nitride layers discussed herein may be doped with other materials such as stainless steel or aluminum in certain example embodiments of this invention. For example, any and/or all silicon nitride layers 3, 14, 24 discussed herein may optionally include from about 0-15% aluminum, more preferably from about 1 to 10% aluminum, in certain example embodiments of this invention. The silicon nitride of layers 3, 14, 24 may be deposited by sputtering a target of Si or SiAl, in an atmosphere having argon and nitrogen gas, in certain embodiments of this invention. Small amounts of oxygen may also be provided in certain instances in any or all of the the silicon nitride layers.

Dielectric non-absorbing layer 15 is preferably of or including zirconium oxide. The zirconium oxide in layer 15 may be ZrO₂ or any other suitable stoichiometry. It has been found that provision of the zirconium oxide based layer 15 in a position to split the silicon nitride based layer 14 into two portions 14 a and 14 b results in improved durability. While layer 15 consists of, or consists essentially of, ZrO₂ in preferred embodiments of this invention, it is possible that other materials may be present in the layer. For instance, layer 15 may be doped with other materials in certain example instances, such as nitrogen for instance. In certain example embodiments zirconium oxide layer 15 contains from about 0-10% nitrogen, more preferably from about 1-7% nitrogen.

Infrared (IR) reflecting layers 9 and 19 are preferably substantially or entirely metallic and/or conductive, and may comprise or consist essentially of silver (Ag), gold, or any other suitable IR reflecting material. IR reflecting layers 9 and 19 help allow the coating to have low-E and/or good solar control characteristics.

Other layer(s) below or above the illustrated coating may also be provided. Thus, while the layer system or coating is “on” or “supported by” substrate 1 (directly or indirectly), other layer(s) may be provided therebetween. Thus, for example, the coating of FIG. 1 may be considered “on” and “supported by” the substrate 1 even if other layer(s) are provided between layer 3 and substrate 1. Moreover, certain layers of the illustrated coating may be removed in certain embodiments, while others may be added between the various layers or the various layer(s) may be split with other layer(s) added between the split sections in other embodiments of this invention without departing from the overall spirit of certain embodiments of this invention.

While various thicknesses and materials may be used in layers in different embodiments of this invention, example thicknesses and materials for the respective layers on the glass substrate 1 in the FIG. 1 embodiment are as follows, from the glass substrate outwardly (physical thicknesses recited):

Example Materials/Thicknesses; FIG. 1 Embodiment

Layer Glass (1-10 Preferred Range More Preferred Example mm thick) (Å) (Å) (Å) Si_(x)N_(y) (layer 3) 100-1100 Å 600-1000 Å 869 Å NiCr or NiCrN 10-70 Å 40-65 Å 54 Å (layer 7) Ag (layer 9) 80-170 Å 100-145 Å 115 Å NiCr or NiCrN 10-110 Å 68-100 Å 83 Å (layer 11) Si_(x)N_(y) (layer 14a) 100-700 Å 200-450 Å 295 Å ZrO₂ (layer 15) 30-700 Å 70-120 Å 96 Å Si_(x)N_(y) (layer 14b) 100-700 Å 200-450 Å 295 Å NiCr or NiCrN 10-70 Å 40-65 Å 55 Å (layer 17) Ag (layer 19) 80-200 Å 115-160 Å 130 Å NiCr or NiCrN 10-70 Å 40-65 Å 54 Å (layer 21) Si₃N₄ (layer 24) 100-460 Å 150-300 Å 207 Å ZrO₂ (layer 27) 20-85 Å 25-55 Å 44 Å

The lower and upper portions 14 a and 14 b of the silicon nitride based layer 14 are substantially the same physical thickness (the same thickness+/−10%) in certain example embodiments of this invention, although they need not be in alternative embodiments of this invention. Moreover, in certain example embodiments of this invention the zirconium oxide layer 15 is thinner than both the silver layers 9, 19, and is also thinner than both of the silicon nitride layers 14 a, 14 b in certain example embodiments of this invention. In certain example embodiments of this invention, the zirconium oxide layer 15 is at least 10 angstroms (Å) thinner than both the silver layers 9, 19, and is at least angstroms 100 angstroms thinner than both of the silicon nitride layers 14 a, 14 b in certain example embodiments of this invention.

The second IR reflecting layer comprising silver 19 is at least as thick as the first IR reflecting layer comprising silver 9. In certain preferred embodiments, it has been found that surprisingly beneficial results can be achieved when the second IR reflecting layer comprising silver 19 is thicker than the first IR reflecting layer comprising silver 9, more preferably when second IR reflecting layer 19 is at least 10 angstroms (Å) thicker (more preferably at least 20 angstroms thicker) than the first IR reflecting layer comprising silver 9.

In certain example embodiments, the overcoat layer of or including zirconium oxide and/or zirconium oxynitride 27 is thinner than each of the IR reflecting layers 9, 19 comprising silver in the coating 30. In certain example embodiments of this invention, each of the IR reflecting layers comprising silver 9 and 19 is at least twice as thick, and more preferably at least three times as thick, as the layer 27 or including zirconium oxide and/or zirconium oxynitride.

In certain example embodiments, the center silicon nitride based layer 14 total thickness (14 a+14 b) is thicker the silicon nitride layer 24 thickness, preferably by at least 100 angstroms, more preferably by at least 300 angstroms, and most preferably by 340 angstroms. In certain example embodiments, silicon nitride layer 3 is at least 200 angstroms thicker (more preferably at least 300 angstroms thicker) than each of silicon nitride layers 14 a and 14 b. Moreover, in certain example embodiments, each of the silicon nitride based layers 3, 14 and 24 is at least two times as thick as the zirconim oxide inclusive layer 27, more preferably at least three times as thick, and most preferably at least four or five times as thick.

The coating 30 offers good durability and allows for lower inside and outside reflection compared to a single-silver based low-E coating. However, delta-E* values are typically in the 4-5 range. The coating, and coated articles including the coating, may be designed to appear light blue in transmission and reflection, but may become slightly more neutral after optional HT.

In certain example embodiments of this invention, coated articles herein may have the following optical and solar characteristics set forth in Table 2 when measured monolithically (before and/or after optional HT). The sheet resistances (R_(s)) herein take into account all IR reflecting layers (e.g., silver layers 9, 19). Note that “before heat treatment” means as annealed, but before high temperature heat treatment such as thermal tempering as described herein.

Optical/Solar Characteristics (Monolithic - Before Heat Treatment) Characteristic General More Preferred Most Preferred R_(s) (ohms/sq.): <=5.0 <=4.0 <=3.0 E_(n): <=0.08 <=0.05 <=0.04 T_(vis) (Ill. C. 2°): 30-63% 45-60% 50-59%

Optical/Solar Characteristics (Monolithic - Post Heat Treatment) Characteristic General More Preferred Most Preferred R_(s) (ohms/sq.): <=5.0 <=4.0 <=3.0 E_(n): <=0.08 <=0.05 <=0.04 T_(vis) (Ill. C. 2°): 30-63% 48-61% 52-60%

It can be seen from the above that the heat treatment (e.g., thermal tempering) slightly increases the visible transmission of the coated article.

In certain example laminated embodiments of this invention, coated articles herein which have been optionally heat treated to an extent sufficient for tempering, and which have been coupled to another glass substrate to form an IG unit, may have the above recited Optical/Solar characteristics in a structure as shown in FIG. 2 (e.g., where the two glass sheets are each 6 mm thick of clear glass with a 16 mm gap therebetween filled with 90/10 argon/air). Such IG window units may have a visible transmission of from about 20-55% in certain example embodiments of this invention.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

1. A coated article including a coating supported by a glass substrate, the coating comprising: first and second infrared (IR) reflecting layers comprising silver, the first IR reflecting layer being located closer to the glass substrate than is the second IR reflecting layer; a first contact layer comprising NiCr located over and directly contacting the first IR reflecting layer comprising silver; a dielectric layer comprising silicon nitride located over and directly contacting the first contact layer comprising NiCr; wherein the dielectric layer comprising silicon nitride is split by a splitting dielectric layer comprising zirconium oxide, so that the splitting dielectric layer comprising zirconium oxide is located between and contacting a first portion of the dielectric layer comprising silicon nitride and a second portion of the dielectric layer comprising silicon nitride; a second contact layer comprising NiCr located over and directly contacting the layer comprising silicon nitride; the second IR reflecting layer comprising silver located over and directly contacting the second contact layer comprising NiCr; a third contact layer comprising NiCr located over and directly contacting the second IR reflecting layer; and another dielectric layer comprising silicon nitride located over and directly contacting the third contact layer comprising NiCr.
 2. The coated article of claim 1, further comprising a base layer comprising silicon nitride located between the glass substrate and the first IR reflecting layer.
 3. The coated article of claim 2, wherein the base layer comprising silicon nitride is from 600-1,000 angstroms thick.
 4. The coated article of claim 1, wherein the splitting dielectric layer comprising zirconium oxide has a thickness of from 70-120 angstroms.
 5. The coated article of claim 1, wherein the first and second portions of the dielectric layer comprising silicon nitride are of the same thickness+/−10%.
 6. The coated article of claim 1, wherein the first and second portions of the dielectric layer comprising silicon nitride are each from 200-450 angstroms thick.
 7. The coated article of claim 1, wherein the splitting dielectric layer comprising zirconium oxide is thinner than the first and second IR reflecting layers comprising silver.
 8. The coated article of claim 1, wherein the splitting dielectric layer comprising zirconium oxide is at least 100 angstroms thinner than are each of the first and second portions of the layer comprising silicon nitride.
 9. The coated article of claim 1, wherein the splitting layer comprising zirconium oxide comprises ZrO₂.
 10. The coated article of claim 1, wherein the splitting layer comprising zirconium oxide consists essentially of ZrO₂.
 11. The coated article of claim 1, further comprising an overcoat layer comprising zirconium oxide located over and directly contacting the another dielectric layer comprising silicon nitride.
 12. The coated article of claim 1, wherein the second IR reflecting layer comprising silver is thicker than is the first IR reflecting layer comprising silver.
 13. The coated article of claim 1, wherein the coated article has a visible transmission, measured monolithically, of no greater than 60%.
 14. The coated article of claim 1, further comprising an overcoat layer comprising zirconium oxide, wherein each of the first and second IR reflecting layers comprising silver is at least three times as thick as the overcoat layer.
 15. The coated article of claim 1, wherein the splitting layer comprising zirconium oxide further comprises nitrogen.
 16. The coated article of claim 1, wherein the second IR reflecting layer comprising silver is at least 10 angstroms (Å) thicker than is the first IR reflecting layer comprising silver.
 17. The coated article of claim 1, wherein the dielectric layer comprising silicon nitride that is located over and directly contacting the first contact layer comprising NiCr is amorphous.
 18. The coated article of claim 1, wherein the first contact layer comprising NiCr is substantially metallic or metallic, and contains no more than about 5% (atomic %) oxygen.
 19. The coated article of claim 1, wherein the second contact layer comprising NiCr is substantially metallic or metallic, and contains no more than about 5% (atomic %) oxygen.
 20. The coated article of claim 1, wherein the third contact layer comprising NiCr is substantially metallic or metallic, and contains no more than about 5% (atomic %) oxygen.
 21. The coated article of claim 1, wherein said first, second, and/or third contact layer(s) further contain(s) nitrogen.
 22. The coated article of claim 1, wherein said coated article has a visible transmission of from 20-60% measured monolithically.
 23. The coated article of claim 1, wherein said coated article is not thermally tempered and has a visible transmission of from 20-55% measured monolithically.
 24. The coated article of claim 1, wherein the coated article is thermally tempered.
 25. The coated article of claim 24, wherein the coated article is heat treated and has a glass side reflective ΔE* value of no greater than 5.0 due to the heat treatment.
 26. The coated article of claim 24, wherein the coated article is heat treated and has a glass side reflective ΔE* value of no greater than 4.5 due to the heat treatment.
 27. The coated article of claim 1, wherein the coating has a sheet resistance (R_(s)) of less than or equal to 4.0 ohms/square.
 28. A IG window unit including the coated article of claim 1, and another glass substrate which is coupled to said coated article.
 29. The coated article of claim 1, wherein the splitting dielectric layer comprising zirconium oxide contains from 1-7% nitrogen (atomic %).
 30. A coated article including a coating supported by a glass substrate, the coating comprising: first and second infrared (IR) reflecting layers comprising silver, the first IR reflecting layer being located closer to the glass substrate than is the second IR reflecting layer; a first contact layer located over and directly contacting the first IR reflecting layer comprising silver; a dielectric layer comprising silicon nitride located over and directly contacting the first contact layer comprising NiCr; wherein the dielectric layer comprising silicon nitride is split by a splitting dielectric layer comprising zirconium oxide, so that the splitting dielectric layer comprising zirconium oxide is located between and contacting a first portion of the dielectric layer comprising silicon nitride and a second portion of the dielectric layer comprising silicon nitride; a second contact layer located over and directly contacting the layer comprising silicon nitride; the second IR reflecting layer comprising silver located over and directly contacting the second contact layer; and a third contact layer located over and directly contacting the second IR reflecting layer. 